Portable entertainment center

ABSTRACT

A foldable apparatus for providing a surface and storage for a person of any age to use for play or engage in activities while mobility is being restricted having rotatable joints with locking device and located at corresponding members for optimum space saving. In some embodiments of this invention, the height of the apparatus can be adjusted by operating the devices in the vertical members of said apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing a surface for children or anyone to use for play or engage in activities while mobility is being restricted, and more particularly to an apparatus for supporting, carrying or holding toys, activity materials or the like in the most desirable range for children at various ages and older persons to access or interact. The related activities include reading, playing games, participating in auditory media, or drawing.

According to many recent studies on traveling with children in confined space, there is a need for providing activities to occupy the children and relieve some stress for parents or the accompanying guardians. The concern in providing activities for the children is the appropriateness of the supporting materials as well as the related equipment with safe structural elements. The benefits applicable to the children can be applied to persons with limited physical strength or mobility.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, which has a portable, collapsible, self-supporting frame with a sturdy material surface to be used by children as an activity surface for supporting a commercial toy, home-made toy, reading or coloring books, electronic games or similar goods in a desirable environment where the children can reasonably reach the objects related to the activities, regardless of where the child or person is sitting, for the purpose of viewing, reading, touching or interacting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to be used for other purposes, thereby ensuring longtime use beyond each growth period of a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting portable entertainment devices, including toys, materials for reading, painting, writing, arts and crafts, such as macrame, knitting, and sewing, as well as electronic games and other similarly created entertainment devices, is provided and includes at least two side legs which are positioned at a certain distance on right and left sides with a connecting bar extending between said side legs. Horizontal members of the side legs are foldable from an end of each of the side legs by a joint located between the ends of each said member and are adapted to a locking device to hold each such member in position, which includes preventing uncontrolled movement. A horizontal bar extends between the vertical members and is connected by rotatable joints to further fold the vertical members of the side legs. A sturdy 5 connecting the structural members of the apparatus, to which activity devices, materials and toys can be attached or hooked, extends between the horizontal members, with adjusting means, such as a strap, and attaching means, such as Velcro, straps, zippers or snap buttons, and further extends between the upstanding support means and the connecting member to adjust the surface tension and space for storing activity devices, materials and toys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are detailed views showing different foldable joints of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in the folded position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the attached drawings, the construction and functions of each preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, horizontal members 1 and 2, 1 and 8, and 5 and 6 of the side legs are connected by corresponding foldable joints as illustrated in FIG. 2 and are positioned at a proper distance on right and left sides. A fabric 9 is extended over the two horizontal members 2 and 8 on both sides and further extending downward to member 6. A connecting horizontal member 3 is provided between the two side legs at the ends of members 2 and 8 and adapted to rotatable joints as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Vertical members 4 and 7 extend from corresponding ends of the horizontal members 1, 2 and 8, and further connect to members 5 and 6. Toys or other activity devices and materials are held, attached or hooked to the fabric extending from members 2 and 6, and 8 and 6, by suitable holding means, such as pockets, Velcro, straps or bands. In addition, the pockets are adapted to expanding or contracting for holding various size objects.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2, a foldable joint connecting the horizontal members 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the side legs and providing a rotatable means with a sliding cap at one end of the members 1 and 5 and a rounded end of members 2 and 6 adapted to the sliding cap to allow the members to fold, connected and held in desired positions by a locking device including a rounded member 10 adapted to a spring 12.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotatable joint connecting the horizontal bar 3 with horizontal member 2 at one end of the bar and another rotatable joint at the opposite end of the bar to horizontal member 8 of the side legs is positioned permitting the horizontal members 2 and 8 to rotate about the axis. The rotatable joints further permit the horizontal member to be secured in the desired position with adaptable locking device including a rounded member 10 and a spring 12.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5, the side legs are folded as viewed from plan and FIG. 6 shows FIG. 5 as viewed from the side.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention. 

1. An apparatus for supporting portable entertainment devices including reading materials, toys, painting materials, writing materials, materials for arts and crafts, such as macrame, knitting, and sewing, as well as electronic games, and other similarly created entertainment devices comprising: at least two side legs which are positioned at a certain distance on right and left sides; horizontal members of the side legs with foldable means for said members to rotate on a rounded joint adapted to a cap located at one end of said member and further connecting the members; said joints are adapted with a locking means of spring loaded rounded member to hold in position and disengage; a connecting bar extending between the two side legs; said connecting bar has two opposing ends; each end is pivotally connected to a rotatable joint connecting to the vertical members of the side legs; said joints are adapted permitting the side legs to rotate by means of a sliding cap adapted to a rounded member; said joints are further adapted with a locking means of a spring loaded to a rounded member to hold in position and to disengage; a sturdy fabric material extending from the horizontal structural members of the apparatus with adjusting means to adjust the tension of the fabric surface by strings, straps, Velcro and any combination thereof; and said fabric is further adapted with attaching means connecting structural members of the side legs and the connecting to create a surface supporting entertainment devices and further storing said devices.
 2. An apparatus for supporting entertainment devices as claimed in claim 1 including adjusting means extending between and connected to each of vertical members of said side legs to adjust the height of the apparatus by having at least half of the members to have an inner wall and outer wall adapted to slide vertically within the inner wall and position by a locking device with spring and rounded member.
 3. An apparatus for supporting entertainment devices as claimed in claim 1 comprising: an oblique bar pivotally connected to and extending from each of said members of the side legs; whereby the elevation of said side legs can be adjusted by pivoting said oblique bars relative to said members; and adjusting means extending between and connected to each of said horizontal members and said vertical members to maintain said oblique bars in a desired angular orientation relative to said support members.
 4. An apparatus for supporting entertainment devices, said apparatus comprising: means defining a base; a pair of spaced, upwardly extending support members connected to said base means; a horizontal bar pivotally connected to and extending from each of said support members; a reinforcing bar connected to and extending between said support members; an upstanding support member extending upwardly from said reinforcing bar; a connecting member extending between said oblique bars and substantially parallel to said base means, said connecting member adapted to support entertainment materials above said base means enabling a supporting surface to be created by extending material of flat surface between said connecting member and the horizontal bar, whereby the elevation of said connecting member above said base means can be adjusted by pivoting said oblique bars relative to said support members; and adjusting means extending between and connected to each of said connecting members and said upstanding support member to maintain said oblique bars in a desired angular orientation relative to said support members.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes means for securely positioning said oblique bars at an acute angle relative to said base means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said apparatus includes adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the oblique bars.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said adjusting means includes a strap extending between said connecting member and said reinforcing bar.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said base means includes at least two side legs and said side legs are pivotable within the plane of said base means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 4 including a suspending member extending between and secured to said oblique bars, said suspending member positioned between and substantially parallel to said connecting member and said reinforcing bar.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said side legs are inverted, U-shaped members.
 11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said connecting member is slidably carried relative to said oblique bars and includes securing means to secure said connecting member in a desired position relative to said oblique bars.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said securing means includes a T-shaped connector carried at each end of said connecting member and slidable along said oblique bars, and setscrew means carried on said T-shaped connectors to engage with said oblique bars and hold said connecting member thereto.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said U-shaped member includes a transversely extending, integral base and said reinforcing bar is provided as a pair of inwardly directed portions, said base of said U-shaped member having ends that receive inwardly facing ends of said reinforcing bar portions, and setscrew means for securely connecting said reinforcing bar portions and the base of said U-shaped member. 